They’re all sending digital information, but only data cables like USB/Thunderbolt can be used (as far as I know) for devices like external drives. I am not aware of any external drive that can be connected by HDMI or DisplayPort.
In: Technology
The core differences are not that huge, other than the actual utility of the 2 protocols:
* Regular HDMI is rated around 20gbit/sec in data throughput over 3 channels (all out 1 way)
* USB-C is rated about 20 gbit/sec over 2 channels (in/out bidirectional).
* USB can provide power to devices, like flash storage (thumb drives etc)
* HDMI can go about 50 feet before signal loss, USB usually about 25 feet
I didn’t compare Thunderbolt but you could look that up and compare.
As you said it’s just data, but USB formats already support storage I/O already pretty well so why would someone build an HDMI input device?
Latest Answers